NIGHT PRAYER: New Year's Eve 2023

It's New Year's Eve, Lord, 

in a year that seemed much longer

than any year should be...

 

But last year's candle is burning low

and soon, at midnight, 

'twill be time to light a new one 

and to pray you'll light a flame of hope

deep within our hearts

where your Spirit's light 

burns ever bright,

where darkness is unknown...

 

I'll be glad to see the old year go

yet grateful, Lord, for all the ways

you helped me move from day to day,

through thick and thin,

through sorrow's tears and laughter's joy

to this night, this new year's eve

and its promise for tomorrow...

 

And I remember, Lord, all the times

when I forgot, ignored or missed

how you were right there by my side 

and, foolishly - I tried to make it on my own:

Lord, have mercy, 

Lord, forgive me,

Lord, have mercy...

But you never failed me, Lord:
you never failed to love me,
to pardon and forgive me
with grace so sweet and pure 
and always freely given...

Tonight I come with empty hands,

I haven't much to offer,

and anything I do have was first your gift to me...

 

Nurture in my soul, Lord, 

a desire for your wisdom,

a hunger for your truth

and a thirst for all that's holy...

Let me settle for nothing less 

than all you freely offer: 

the healing of my soul, 

the mending of my heart

and your light upon my path...

 

So I praise you Lord, my God

from whom all blessings flow

and pray your grace will fill me

in the year that lies ahead: 

make me worthy of your saving love,

and faithful to your word...

Wake my heart to this new year, Lord,

to 2024 and to all your grace and gifts:

the promise of your presence,

your mercy and your pardon,

your compassion and your love,

your healing and your peace...

Amen. 

Tonight's song isn't a hymn, not a religious composition,

but definitely appropriate for New Year's Eve...

New Year's Day by Carole King

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Everybody makes a dream this time of year
From now on it's gonna be good for you
All your friends and family
Gather 'round in peace and harmony

 

It's a time to remember your blessings
It's a time to remember your goals
All the people in your life
Be they new friends or old

 

And it could be the time of your life
Everything's gonna turn out alright
It'll be okay, in every way, makin' it better
It's New Year's Day

 

And should old friends be forgot
Keep everything they gave you
And though they may seem so far away
You walk with them each and every day

 

And I know sometimes the road isn't easy
And we've said some things wish we'd never said
Once a few rounds you loved and lost
You pick yourself up and take a chance again

 

And it could be the time of your life
Everything's gonna turn out alright
It'll be okay, in every way, makin' it better
It's New Year's Day

 

Countdown's dawn
And we'll sway along with the band
Just one more dance
May all your dreams come true

 

And it could be the time of your life
Everything's gonna turn out alright
It'll be okay, in every way, makin' it better
It's New Year's Day
New Year's Day

 

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Pause for Prayer: SUNDAY 12/31

Overwhelmed by Carolyn LeGrand

 

 

When there's too much going on,
   give me your peace, Lord...

When I'm feeling overwhelmed,
   come lift me up... 

When things move much too fast,
   then slow me down...

 

When I think I just won't make it,
   give me hope... 

When I don't know where to turn,
   show me the way...

When I'm totally confused,
   give me your wisdom...

When I'm locked inside my fear,
   come set me free... 

When I hurt inside and out
   touch me with healing... 

When I wonder where you are,
   show me your face...

When I cannot find an answer,
   speak your truth... 

When I don't know what to pray,
   send me your Spirit...

When I'm feeling all alone,
   stay by my side...

When I'm tired and worn out,
   refresh my strength...

 

When I cannot face the day,

    be my first step...

And when I cannot fall asleep,
   send me sweet dreams...

Amen.

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Holy Family "Photo Album"

Joseph and Jesus (source)

 

Back in the day... these four images were illustrations in my parish worship aid for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  I thought they might provide some starting points for prayer and reflection on this Holy Family Sunday...

Black Nativity, artist unknown

Nativity by Cristina Acosta

Behold the Lamb of God by Walter Rane

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Homily for December 31: FAMILY!

Here's a link to my homily for Holy Family Sunday.

 

 

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NIGHT PRAYER: Saturday 12/30

 

Through the past year, Lord,
    we've nursed grudges and resentments
    and carried backpacks of anger
        weighing heavy on our shoulders,
    keeping us apart from family and neighbors,
        colleagues and classmates
           - and even old friends...

Now we find ourselves 

    just hours away from a new year

and we say we want a fresh start,

    a second chance, a clean slate 

- but are we willing, are we resolved

    to do what we must 

       to begin anew? 

 

Or will we be content, once again,

    to carry last year's burdens

    right through New Year's Eve

        and into 2024?

Will we cling to bitterness and suspicion
    as we sing our Auld Lang Syne?

Will we begin another year

    in the shadows of mistrust,

with chips on our shoulders,

    our hearts burdened

        with the weight of selfish pride?

If we haven't time to mend all this
    before tomorrow's midnight
then help us resolve in 2024
    to be the first 

       to take the steps
        toward making peace
            where peace has long been wanting...

 

Help each of us move forward

    to forgive the ones who've hurt us

and seek pardon

    of any we've offended...

Give each of us the honesty,

the courage to acknowledge 

    where we've been wrong

    or hasty in judgment, 

    quick to lash out,

    hostile and unkind,

    cold and unfriendly,

    conceited and proud,

too busy to notice, to care, 

   to reach out and to heal,

   to mend, to repair and restore

      what we've broken and treated poorly...

Help us, in the new year ahead,

    to listen for your voice, 

    to hear your word,

    to follow where you lead,

    to do what is good,

    to love what is just

    and to walk humbly by your side...

 

We need your help here, Lord,

    because up until now, sadly,

    we've not managed to do this on our own...

Help us, Lord, we pray, make all things new:

    within us, among us, and round us

    through our thoughts and words and deeds

        in the new year just ahead...

Protect us, Lord while we're awake

    and watch over us while we sleep

that awake, we might keep watch with you

    and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

New Beginnings  by Justin Gray

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Pause for Prayer: SATURDAY 12/30

A new year begins on Monday, Lord

    and I’m praying I'll begin 2024

       as best I can - and with your help!

If there’s one thing I’m sure of - it’s this:

    I can’t count on myself

        to make the changes I need to make...

 

Only with your help, Lord,

    will I change and grow 

       and turn my heart around

          - only with your help…

You're the Lord of

    freely given pardons,

    second chances,

    clean slates,

    fresh starts

    and new beginnings

- and I'm gonna need all of the above

      as I begin a new year…

Most of all, Lord, 

   refresh and restore my hope 

that, indeed, I can make

    a new beginning, a fresh start,

and that you'll give me

    the second or hundredth chance I need

        to hear your word and follow you,

        to live as I truly want to live,

        to do what I know you call me to do,

        to love as I truly want to be loved

        and to pray as I truly need to pray…

Don’t let my regret over

    past, failed attempts

keep me from trusting  

   that with your help 

        I can do, I can accomplish,

        I can realize my heart’s true desires

    and live in peace with all, 

        faithful to your word…

Make me modest in my pledges, Lord:

    let my new beginning be reasonable,

    my intentions pure and generous;

    my efforts guided by your Spirit

    and my success be the fruit of your grace…

Show me, Lord, in my heart of hearts,

    what you'd have me resolve;

help me persevere and follow through

    in the year that lies ahead...

Help me live the new year 

    one day at a time,

each day filled with your mercy,

    with your freely given pardon

and all the second chances,

    clean slates and fresh starts

        that fall from your heart and hand...

January 1 will be the day that you make, Lord,

    help me live and keep it in your grace and peace;

bless and keep me as a new year dawns

    and I pledge again to walk in your light...

Amen.

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NIGHT PRAYER: Friday 12/29

Tonight, a simple prayer followed by a simple song...

When it's cold, Lord, hold me close

and warm my heart with loving mercy...

 

When the flames are dying out

ignite your fire deep within me...

 

When my nights are dark and lonely,

be my friend and call my name...

 

When I'm not sure where to turn, Lord,

send a star to lead me home...

 

And when winter's silence thunders 

whisper peace, Lord, in my soul...

 

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake

    and watch over me when I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch with you

    and asleep, rest in your peace...

 

Amen. 

 

Night of Silence/Silent Night by Gruber, Kantor, Haugen

 

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Cold are the people, winter of life
We tremble in shadows this cold endless night
Frozen in the snow lie roses sleeping
Flowers that will echo the sunrise
Fire of hope is our only warmth
Weary, it's flame will be dying soon.

 

Voice in the distance, call in the night
On wind you enfold us You speak of the light
Gentle on the ear you whisper softly
Rumors of a dawn so embracing
Breathless love awaits darkened souls
Soon will we know of the morning.

Spirit among us, shine like the star
Your light that guides shepherds and kings from afar
Shimmer in the sky so empty, lonely
Rising in the warmth of your son's love
Star unknowing of night and day
Spirit we wait for your loving Son.

 

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace.

 

Silent night, holy night

Shepherds quake at the sight

Glories stream from heaven afar

Heav'nly hosts sing Allelulia

Christ the Savior is born

Christ the Savior is born

 

Silent night, holy night

Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace

Jesus, Lord at thy birth

Jesus, Lord at they birth

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Thank you!

 

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Pause for Prayer: FRIDAY 12/29

 

The end of the year is just the right time

    to pray for the gift of hope.

Hope is the bridge 

   from my past to my future...

 

I need all the hope I can get, Lord

    - hope's the grace, the help that I need! 

When I feel like I'm locked in the past,

    give me hope for what's yet to be...

 

When today seems just too much to take,

    give me hope I'll find peace tomorrow...

 

When I fear what the future may hold,

    give me hope to accept the present...

 

When I'm lost in clouds of confusion

    give me hope for clear skies ahead...

 
When I'm doubting my faith in you and myself

    give me hope to build and sustain my trust...

When I'm failing in health, in mind and body,

    help me hope for your healing, blessing and touch...

 

When sadness takes hold of my wounded heart

    help me hope that joy once again will be mine...

When I'm struggling to make a difficult choice

    give me hope that your wisdom is guiding my way...

 

When I've left the path you've charted for me

    give me hope in your mercy, your pardon and peace...

When I fear and I feel that I'm all alone

    give me hope that you're there, Lord, right by my side...

When I'm down and out - and ready to quit -

    help me choose to put all of my hope in you...

Help me not be afraid of whatever may come

    and give me grace to hope in your word...

 

As last year ends and a new one begins

    grant the grace I need to live it in hope...

Amen.

There Is A Hope by Stuart Townend

 

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NIGHT PRAYER: Thursday 12/28

 

Tonight's prayer is very simple, followed by a beautiful, simple Christmas lullaby by John Ritter.  But then, what from John Ritter isn't beautiful?

 

You came as a child, Lord,

for us to cradle in our arms 

the One whose spacious, loving heart 

holds the world and all its people...

You came as an infant, Lord,

made for our embrace,

inviting us to hold you close

- as close as you hold us...

You came as a baby, Lord,

crying 'til our lullaby,

our tender, gentle evening song

might whisper you to sleep... 

 

You came to us a new-born, Lord,

that weary souls be born again

in you and in your grace

and in the peace that's yours to give...

 

Protect us, Lord, while we're awake,

    keep vigil while we sleep

that, awake we might keep watch with you

    and asleep, rest in your peace...

 

Amen. 

 

Christmas Lullaby by John Rutter

 

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Clear in the darkness a light shines in Bethlehem:

Angels are singing, their sound fills the air. 

Wise men have journeyed to greet their Messiah; 

But only a mother and baby lie there. 

 

‘Ave Maria, ave Maria’: 

Hear the soft lullaby the angel hosts sing. 

‘Ave Maria, ave Maria, 

Maiden, and mother of Jesus our King’. 

 

Where are his courtiers, and who are his people? 

Why does he bear neither sceptre nor crown? 

Shepherds his courtiers, the poor for his people, 

With peace as his sceptre and love for his crown. 

 

What though your treasures are not gold or incense? 

Lay them before him with hearts full of love. 

Praise to the Christ child, and praise to his mother 

Who bore us a Savior by grace from above.

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